The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Egbedun, has called for stronger collaboration between the state government and professional bodies to improve the working conditions of healthcare workers in the state.
The lawmaker also said the Assembly remains committed to supporting policies and laws that promote the welfare, safety and professional stability of healthcare workers.
Egbedun stated this on Monday during the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, UniOsun Teaching Hospital chapter, held in Osogbo, Osun State capital.
The speaker who delivered a keynote address on the topic, “Threats to Healthcare Workers’ Survival and Stability: Political Perspective and Way Out,” acknowledged that health workers are facing some challenges which have contributed to declining morale, industrial disputes and continued migration of skilled professionals.
He listed the challenges to include poor working conditions, outdated equipment and overstretched infrastructure.
Egbedun however, said the challenges can be overcome through continuous engagement between policy makers and healthcare professionals.
He said, “Healthcare workers remain the backbone of any effective health system. Their expertise, dedication and sacrifice directly determine the quality of care available to the populace. However, in recent years, their survival and professional stability have been threatened by a combination of economic pressures, policy inconsistencies, insecurity and systemic inadequacies.
“These challenges have contributed to declining morale, industrial disputes and the continued migration of skilled professionals in search of better opportunities.
“Poor working conditions, outdated equipment and overstretched infrastructure further compound these challenges, placing enormous strain on professionals who are expected to deliver quality care under difficult circumstances.”
“The way forward requires sustained political will and stronger collaboration between government and professional bodies. Legislative intervention remains crucial in providing a robust legal framework that guarantees fair remuneration, job security and protection for healthcare workers.
“Increased and transparent funding of the health sector must be sustained to ensure that allocations translate into tangible improvements in infrastructure, equipment and welfare.
“As Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, I wish to assure you that the legislature remains committed to supporting policies and laws that promote the welfare, safety and professional stability of healthcare workers,” Egbedun added.
The speaker also said the health sector has made significant progress under Governor Ademola Adeleke.
According to him, “The current administration in the state has demonstrated a clear commitment to revitalising healthcare delivery through improved funding, the rehabilitation and upgrading of health facilities across the state, the payment of improved CONMESS and enhanced hazard allowances.
“Notable attention has been given to strengthening tertiary and secondary health institutions, enhancing primary healthcare services, and fostering a more collaborative relationship between government and health professionals.”
Delivering a lecture on the theme “Nigeria Healthcare and Medical Education At Crossroads: Way Forward”, the Chief Medical Director, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Prof. O.A. Olakulehin, said that the current dilemma facing the healthcare profession was that most areas of specialities no longer have applicants for Residency training and by extension, “Medical educators
are trapped between the fellowship and PhD dichotomy.”
He also said poor remuneration of medical educators is another issue, noting that being a medical educator is no longer attractive to the younger Doctors as a career option.
Suggesting the way forward, Prof. Olakulehin said, “MBBS or MB.ChB should be restructured to become M.D, with that medical Doctors can progress to MBBS or MB.ChB should be a PhD directly.
“Pre-Membership Residency to be run concurrently with PhD. Those who are academically inclined should be encouraged to finish a PhD at the Membership level.”
In his remarks, the chairman of the Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria, Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Dr Olufemi Ojewuyi, urged members of the association to continue to give their best for their patients.
He said, “I want us to also ensure that we do our bit in ensuring that Uniosun Teaching Hospital continues to thrive by providing the required services to our teeming patients. Osun State governor is doing so well for us with respect to healthcare, and we need to also repay his good deeds by ensuring that we do our job as it is expected of us.
“We have been doing it, I just want to encourage my people to continue to do more in both teaching, in research and in service to our teaming patients.”
